Review: "Judy" Finds Pain in a Charismatic Performance

Scene from Judy (2019)

There's an old adage in show business: the show MUST go on. No matter what's happening around you, if you're feeling the least bit timid, a performer puts on a show and entertains the crowd who paid handsomely to see them. That is the familiar crux of director Rupert Goold's biopic Judy, which pits one of Hollywood's most famous and tragic careers into a sympathetic lens, trying to understand what kept her going. With drug addiction and family problems spiraling out of control like her wrecked hotel suite, the story finds her backstage in London, doing everything in her power to keep going on. For as much as this follows conventional paths of a music biopic, there's something to be said for Renee Zellwegger's brittle performance as Judy Garland, whose tearful demeanor makes the many musical numbers more triumphant and saves this. For as much as it leans too heavily on conventions, one can't deny that Garland was a performer until the end, leaving the audience wanting even more when she herself had nothing left to give. It's the tragedy of art, but also the reality of Hollywood's gross past when it came to how it treated its female talent. 

Composing Greatness: #14. The Freshman Class of the 2010's - "Phantom Thread" (2017)

Scene from Phantom Thread

Welcome to Composing Greatness: a column dedicated to exploring the work of film composers. This will specifically focus on the films that earned them Oscar nominations while exploring what makes it so special. This will be broken down into a look at the overall style, interesting moments within the composition, and what made the score worth nominating in the first place. This will also include various subcategories where I will rank the themes of each film along with any time that the composer actually wins. This is a column meant to explore a side of film that doesn't get enough credit while hopefully introducing audiences to an enriched view of more prolific composers' work. This will only cover scores/songs that are compiled in an easily accessible format (so no extended scores will be considered). Join me every Sunday as I cover these talents that if you don't know by name, you recognize by sound.

My Top 25 Favorite Films of the Decade

Scene from The Master (2012)

The following is an excerpt from my new e-book "A Decade Now Available for Streaming: Celebrating the Films That Helped Define the 2010's," which is currently available for $2 on Amazon. It's a celebration of the best films of the past decade, including these 25 films that stand out as something special to me personally. If you want to read more, the e-book goes into detail on 75 more films that defined the decade and made going to the cinema an exciting past time. 

Review: How "Knives Out" Reinvents the Whodunit is a Clear Success

Scene from Knives Out

The world of Agatha Christie is alive and well in director Rian Johnson's Knives Out. This murder mystery is an original story that pays tribute to the whodunit's of yesteryear while applying a glossy coat of 21st-century idealism over it. With the introduction of detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) out to solve the murder of Harlan Thrombley (Christopher Plummer), the story goes about the journey that makes for one of the most enjoyable films of 2019. On its surface, it's a familiar story where everyone's a suspect and the comedy thrives when people have their own grudges being yelled from across rooms in a form of defense. Their egos will never be put in check, however, so who will go so far as to reveal themselves in this mess? The answer is only part of the reason that this film succeeds as more than a Christie pastiche. It's the story of a modern society coming to terms with its own changing tides, and that elevates the film's relevance to something more than mystery fodder.

Composing Greatness: #13. The Freshman Class of the 2010's - "Moonlight" (2016)

Scene from Moonlight (2016)

Welcome to Composing Greatness: a column dedicated to exploring the work of film composers. This will specifically focus on the films that earned them Oscar nominations while exploring what makes it so special. This will be broken down into a look at the overall style, interesting moments within the composition, and what made the score worth nominating in the first place. This will also include various subcategories where I will rank the themes of each film along with any time that the composer actually wins. This is a column meant to explore a side of film that doesn't get enough credit while hopefully introducing audiences to an enriched view of more prolific composers' work. This will only cover scores/songs that are compiled in an easily accessible format (so no extended scores will be considered). Join me every Sunday as I cover these talents that if you don't know by name, you recognize by sound.

Failed Oscar Campaigns: "Into the Woods" (2014)

Scene from Into the Woods (2014)

As awards seasons pick up, so do the campaigns to make your film have the best chances at the Best Picture race. However, like a drunken stupor, sometimes these efforts come off as trying too hard and leave behind a trailer of ridiculous flamboyance. Join me on every other Saturday for a highlight of the failed campaigns that make this season as much about prestige as it does about train wrecks. Come for the Harvey Weinstein comments and stay for the history. It's going to be a fun time as I explore cinema's rich history of attempting to matter.

The Memory is Over as Universal Stops Campaigning for "Cats"

Scene from Cats (2019)

At this point, director Tom Hooper's Cats has been a universal meme of poor studio decisions and surrealistic nightmares involving Rebel Wilson's costume change. There are those who are going for a good time, while others have outright called it the worst movie of 2019. For a film that was once primed to get some Oscar traction, this has been a rough two weeks. Now, with only a single full week of release behind them, the worst news of all has come: Cats is bowing out of the awards race. Many saw it coming, but it wasn't until recently that Universal Studios removed Cats from its For Your Consideration page, and thus bids the end for the film. The good times have come to an end for Cats, and with that its status as one of the oddest Christmas releases of the decade (possibly ever) will forge ahead of its own legacy, whatever that may be. 

Review: "Uncut Gems" Bets Big with Exciting Results

Scene from Uncut Gems

It's safe to say that Howard "Bling" Ratner (Adam Sandler) hasn't done anything with his life. It may not seem that way because he is one of the most respected jewelry salesmen in New York, managing to have a personal connection to NBA star Kevin Garnett. He is capable of making a profit with simple negotiation tactics and high-risk betting. One would assume that Howard is a very lucky man, but over the course of co-directors, Josh and Benny Safdie's neurotic masterpiece Uncut Gems, his life begins to unwind as one bad deal leads to a downward spiral of choices that puts him further in debt with mobsters that want him dead. Still, with no actual skill except negotiation, how does he stand any chance of making it out alive? It's the type of radical survival skills that makes Sandler's performance so electric, serving as one of his best. For a man who doesn't have much to show for himself that he personally earned, it's a story of desperation that shows the problem with the American dream when all you want is to get rich.

Review: "Little Women" Defies Expectations with Brilliant Warmth

Scene from Little Women (2019)

The opening of director Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Little Women may sound familiar to those who know a thing or two about Louisa May Alcott. The writer famously had certain conflicts to resolve when publishing the second half of her best-selling novel about The March Sisters. There had to be certain fulfillments that all contemporary publishings had at the time. The most noteworthy was the choice that all female protagonists needed to be either married or dead, and Alcott wasn't having any of that. Still, it was 1868 and the only way to get her work published was to submit to these wills. As a result, later audiences may be confused by what the final chapters hold for spinster archetype Jo March. While the novel was a masterpiece, it was one representative of its time in these respects, showing that while it was about women finding their own agency, they still had to overcome the male-dominated world, where they decided what passed as socially acceptable.

It's why the choice to open the 2019 film as Jo is submitting to the Weekly Volcano (over halfway through the novel) feels like the right way to go. As Alcott's surrogate, it feels like a moment for Gerwig to finally address something that Alcott couldn't. Within her quietness as Mr. Dashwood (Tracy Letts) edits her story to fit his wants, there's a sense that this was how the real-life author dealt with criticism. No matter what she found interesting, there was a man to tear her down. That is the journey of The March Sisters, and every woman in the 19th century in a time where they couldn't own anything and thus needed to find a reason to live. It is why Little Women resonates as more than adaptation. It's one that openly engages with what the text is saying, and even questions it as it relates to Alcott's personal journey to publishing the book. It's metatextual without being cloying, it's empowering without feeling false, and it's incredible in its small achievements. While there may be more direct adaptations, none have addressed why the book continues to be important over 150 years later quite like Gerwig, who to make this film almost feels like the final act of revolt against Mr. Dashwood's critical eye. Everyone watching is laughing at him, even if the conflict still feels prescient in modern culture. 

Check This Out: An Excerpt from My New E-Book "A Decade Now Available for Streaming"

Scene from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

*NOTE: The following is an excerpt from my new e-book "A Decade Now Available for Streaming: A Celebration of the Films That Helped Define the 2010's." To read more, you can purchase it on Amazon here. 

If there was anything evident about the dawn of 2010, it was that the 21st century now had a decade of proving itself. The tragedy of September 11, 2001 and the advent of handheld technology and social media made interacting with the world a whole different beast. Suddenly there was a new world to explore, and film had to change with it. Much like everything else, it’s hard to not recognize the end of the previous decade kicking off the 2010’s with certain expectations. The cinematic blockbuster was changed forever in 2008 with The Dark Knight and Iron Man. The use of social media has become so ingrained in pop culture that whole films are based around interactions via phones: Nerve, Searching, Assassination Nation, Eighth Grade, etc. It’s even influenced major Broadway hits like Dear Evan Hansen that explore how we talk openly about emotions through a Wi-Fi connection. 

Review: "Cats" is at Its Best When Nothing Makes Sense

Scene from Cats (2019)

How do you adapt a musical like Cats into the cinematic landscape? That is the question that has been asked for almost 40 years as Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit show has existed in pop culture. It is to Broadway what the Transformers movies were to action cinema: relatively dumb to everyone except those who can appreciate the craft it brings to the medium. Even then, with feline/human Animorphs designs, how was it ever supposed to appeal to a general audience? It couldn't. Director Tom Hooper has made a film that feels as misunderstood as its opening moment when Victoria (Francesca Hayward) is thrown out onto Jellicle row in a bag. Those willing to look at it and see the craft may be able to appreciate what lies inside. Everyone else will give it a Razzie because, let's face it, even if it's a good adaptation of Cats, Cats is still Cats and you can only take a show about dancing cats so seriously. 

Review: "The Two Popes" Gives an Entertaining Perspective on History

Scene from The Two Popes

While popes throughout history have been seen as holier than thou figures, there's one thing in director Fernando Meirelles' that feels groundbreaking. For a figure like Pope Benedict XVI, every day is a chance to solve the world's problems. It seems like it would be full of contemplation, wondering how to perform God's will to a public who holds you in higher esteem. However, the moment that seems most striking is not him performing a miracle or presenting a sermon in Latin, but in what he does at the Vatican when doors are closed and the public has gone home for the night. Like most of us, Benedict turns to TV for pleasure with a crime-solving dog show called Kommander Rex. It's a brief moment, but Benedict's joy in the silliness reflects what The Two Popes does so phenomenally well. These are moments that make us human, and sometimes communion is simply gathering together to watch TV. By humanizing Pope Benedict XVI and his successor Pope Francis, the film demystifies two of the stuffier figures in modern culture and gives them a rich, sympathetic, and dimensional personality. 

"Cats" Hacks a Hair Ball at the Box Office

Scene from Cats

Things just keep getting worse for Cats. In just a week, the film featured some of the year's worst reviews with many bashing the visual design of characters. Then, to make matters worse, director Tom Hooper came forward to say that there was a cut coming to theaters this week with "improved" special effects. In one of the more predictable moves, its choice to open opposite Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker may have backfired, as the film becomes a rare Christmas season movie musical bomb. No, the good cheer towards our whiskered friends wasn't enough to draw out audiences, and one has to wonder if things will ever rebound. After all, cats are known for having nine lives. What are the odds that Cats could have just as many?

Composing Greatness: #12. The Freshman Class of the 2010's - "Lion" (2016)

Scene from Lion (2016)

Welcome to Composing Greatness: a column dedicated to exploring the work of film composers. This will specifically focus on the films that earned them Oscar nominations while exploring what makes it so special. This will be broken down into a look at the overall style, interesting moments within the composition, and what made the score worth nominating in the first place. This will also include various subcategories where I will rank the themes of each film along with any time that the composer actually wins. This is a column meant to explore a side of film that doesn't get enough credit while hopefully introducing audiences to an enriched view of more prolific composers' work. This will only cover scores/songs that are compiled in an easily accessible format (so no extended scores will be considered). Join me every Sunday as I cover these talents that if you don't know by name, you recognize by sound.

In an Unprecedented Move, "Cats" to Get Improved Effects After a Few Days in Release

Scene (?) from Cats

It was never going to be easy for the cinematic version of Cats. The film comes over 40 years after its Broadway debut that made it one of the biggest shows in its history. The reviews haven't been any more favorable, and that leads some to wonder if it's even in the Oscar race anymore. Well, for those who saw Cats in the first 48 hours need to know that the version they saw no longer exists. No, the film wasn't pulled out of theaters due to embarrassment (in fact, Twitter will have you convinced it's a celebration of poor taste enthusiasts and theater kids). It's just getting a small update. Yes, despite being publicly released the film is pulling the unprecedented move of creating an "improved" version with better visual effects. It's a fascinating call, especially since what exactly is "improved" for Cats?

Failed Oscar Campaigns: "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (2019)

Scene from Star Wars: The Last Jedi

As awards seasons pick up, so do the campaigns to make your film have the best chances at the Best Picture race. However, like a drunken stupor, sometimes these efforts come off as trying too hard and leave behind a trailer of ridiculous flamboyance. Join me on every other Saturday for a highlight of the failed campaigns that make this season as much about prestige as it does about train wrecks. Come for the Harvey Weinstein comments and stay for the history. It's going to be a fun time as I explore cinema's rich history of attempting to matter.

Review: "The Aeronauts" is a Balloon Ride Worth Taking

Scene from The Aeronauts

Think back for a moment and try to answer this question: when has there been a nonfiction movie about a scientist that was... exciting? While the revelations that one finds through meticulous research can lead to world-changing events, nobody could mistake the story of, say, Marie Curie or Peter Higgs as a film on par with Tom Cruise's latest action flick. Then again, that's where director Tom Harper dares to dream. The Aeronauts is a mixed bag in terms of authenticity, but what he does with a hot air balloon feels revolutionary, presenting a perspective on cinema that hasn't been covered before. Imagine a Jules Verne story brought to life, full of wondrous discoveries and peril from inside the claustrophobic space of a basket. For as much as the film has issues getting things off the ground, it still delivers the goods when it gets there and elevates this goofy premise into one of the best surprises of 2019. It's a biopic worthy of its action beats, and it will have those willing to embrace is tone in a constant state of awe.

The "Cats" Oscar Campaign is Officially Down to Its Last Life as Bad Reviews Surface

Scene from Cats (2019)

Well, it was a fun ride while it lasted. Whether it existed as a serious thought or was something of a joke, the Oscar campaign for Cats has officially been declawed. The past week hasn't been its finest moment starting with the near exclusion from major Golden Globe nominations (Taylor Swift *did* get a song nomination for "Beautiful Ghosts") followed by their new song not making the Oscar shortlist for Best Original Song. It was a terrible way to build-up to the world premiere of the film this past week, which promised to have a memorable reaction even if this film was miraculously a masterpiece. Sadly, the embargo has lifted and things haven't played out too well for director Tom Hooper's sophomore movie musical. While it may still get some tech nominations (though let's face it, that's not likely), it's all but over for this kitty. Let's pour one out for the film, sitting pretty at 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the Oscar campaign dream that is all but a memory now. 

Nolan Performs a Timely Stealth Mission with the Official "Tenet" Trailer

Scene from Tenet (2020)

In case you haven't been to the theaters in the past six months, you'll be surprised to know that Christopher Nolan has a new movie coming out next year. In a move that's largely unprecedented, the first teaser for Tenet premiered in theaters and miraculously avoided any official version on the internet. Even if it didn't generate a consistent buzz, it at least managed to create a need to be at a certain place at a certain time and wonder in ways that most movie marketing won't allow in this day and age. After months of guessing what this movie is about, it's finally revealed an official trailer on the internet. The issue is that while some questions about what Tenet is have been answered, several more have only begun to surface. It's a Nolan trailer, and that means you'll want to watch this a few times before making up your mind on what's going on.

Legitimate Theater: "Little Women The Musical" (2005)

Welcome to Legitimate Theater: a column dedicated to movie-based stage musicals. The goal of this series is to explore those stories that originated in films and eventually worked their way onto Broadway and beyond. By the end of each entry, there will hopefully be a better understanding of this odd but rampant trend in modern entertainment. Are these stories really worth telling through song and dance? How can it even compare to the technical prowess of a camera and seamless editing? Join me on this quest as I explore the highs and lows of this trend on the third Wednesday of every month and hopefully answer what makes this Legitimate Theater.